373. Ears That Can Hear

Psalm 40:6-8. “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.

“Then I said, ‘Behold I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me, I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.’”

We cannot make progress along the way of righteousness without a listening ear. That is why it is written to the seven churches in Asia Minor, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Satan speaks clearly through the language of the flesh, and the ungodly hear his voice clearly. We who believe also hear two voices, since the Spirit lusts against the flesh and the flesh against the Spirit. It is easy to follow Satan and the flesh, since we, by nature, are fallen creatures, while the voice of the Spirit is more difficult to follow. Therefore people would rather sin than suffer. The way of the cross is narrow, and few are those who find it.

Even among us there is a lack of ears that can hear, a lack of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. See Ephesians 1. What is the reason for this lack? Does not our heavenly Advocate speak clearly? Yes, most certainly! Why can’t people hear? People are not interested in obeying the bidding of the Spirit, and so their ears become clogged and deafness sets in. Their heart becomes callous and hardened, and the Advocate must stop speaking to such people.

“But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Instead of the Spirit of adoption where one cries out “Abba Father,” one backslides into a spirit of bondage.

Then we come to conferences. Several friends are as dry as old bones. Instead of meditating on the law of the Lord day and night, they have pondered what they should eat, drink, and wear. “But seek first the kingdom of God . . . and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:33.

Why not walk in the Spirit between the conferences? Why be so dry?